UNITE HERE-Justice for Local Hotel Workers

ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87829369630?pwd=dnp0eC9SWjMxbEN2bVo4VXlOdWdTZz09

Last fall, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn workers initiated a union organizing campaign. Workers want to affiliate with UNITE HERE Local 2, a union representing 15,000 hotel, airport, and food service workers in the greater Bay Area. Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn workers demand living wages, affordable health care, and improved working conditions. At the Oakmont Progressives meeting, UNITE HERE staff members Sonya Karabel and Marty Bennett and a Fairmont worker leader will provide an overview of the campaign, the challenges workers confront, and how Oakmont residents can support the organizing campaign. Q and A will follow the presentations.

At the February 9th Rally, the Sonoma Index-Tribune quoted Aesthetician Ale Santoyo that “the Sonoma Mission Inn has cut jobs to save money, pushing their responsibilities onto the remaining employees. I’m standing in front of you all because of the housekeepers, the dishwashers, and everybody else who is not only overworked and underpaid, but also mistreated and disrespected.” 

By contrast, the Fairmont San Francisco is unionized and a recent news release from UNITE HERE Local 2 highlighted the discrepancy in pay between union and non-unionized employees in the Bay Area, saying, “housekeepers at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn make $21, compared to $28.10 at the Fairmont San Francisco.” 

In addition, UNITE HERE Local 2 and legal representative Ivy Yan have filed a case with the National Labor Relations Board alleging “threatening employees with adverse consequences for union activity,” “surveilling employees’ union activities,” among other allegations. The Labor Board issued several rulings favorable to the Union which will be presented. The Progressives welcomes all Oakmonters to join us for the 6:30 PM Social followed by the 7:00 PM Presentation.